- President Tinubu defends his administration’s proposed tax reforms, aiming to boost Nigeria's revenue and improve fiscal capacity
- Tinubu stresses the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government for effective governance and national progress
- At the seventh annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi roundtable, Tinubu highlights the late governor’s contributions to Nigeria's development and praises his leadership
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s four proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, underscoring their importance in boosting Nigeria’s revenue.
The bills, which have sparked significant debate, especially in the northern region, are part of Tinubu's broader strategy to enhance the country’s fiscal capacity.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Joseph Ochoku, at the 7th annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi roundtable in Ibadan on Monday, December 16, the president called for unity and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government to foster national progress.
Speaking at the event, held in honour of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Tinubu said, “My administration is determined to forge a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government. Despite occasional tensions, we recognise that effective governance is a shared responsibility. Collaboration, not confrontation, must define our interactions as we work towards the collective goal of improving the lives of our people.”
The roundtable, organised by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan, was themed "Legislative Oversight in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects." The discussions highlighted the importance of legislative oversight in ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
Tinubu addressed the ongoing deliberations on the proposed tax reforms, saying, “These reforms, when enacted, promise to streamline tax administration, enhance revenue generation, and promote equitable resource allocation. They are pivotal to our mission of building an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Nigeria, and making our country competitive to attract foreign direct investment.”
The President also touched on his administration’s efforts to protect the constitutional roles of each government arm from political bias and misinformation, stating, “We believe in press freedom and in holding government accountable. We have been working assiduously to insulate the constitutional roles and functions of each arm of government from primordial sentiments, lack of engagement, and the dissemination of fake news and hate speeches.”
Tinubu took the opportunity to praise the legacy of the late Senator Ajimobi, acknowledging his contributions to infrastructure development, healthcare, education, mechanised agriculture, and peace during his tenure as governor.
“He was a committed party man, with whom we formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 to pursue people-centric economic growth and development,” the President remarked.
The event also saw the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, justify the decision to name the National Assembly Library after President Tinubu, highlighting his unique history as a former senator and the first in Nigeria’s history to ascend to the presidency after serving in the National Assembly.
Barau stressed the critical role of legislative oversight in democratic governance, explaining that it ensures accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. “Legislative oversight is the bedrock of democratic governance,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in his address, emphasised the need for close collaboration between the legislature and the executive for effective oversight, noting that cooperative governance is essential for the smooth functioning of the democratic system.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Leader of the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere; and former deputy governors of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan and Moses Adeyemo.
Tax Reform Bills: Afenifere endorses TInubu’s decision
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Afenifere, a popular pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has officially expressed its support for the proposed tax reform bills in Nigeria.
The group sees the reforms as a crucial step toward boosting Nigeria's economic growth, particularly in the areas of revenue generation, infrastructure funding, and public service delivery.